You’ve determined that your property’s fence is an eyesore and that you want to do something about it. There are numerous good suggestions for you to consider. However, before you can pick what to plant along the fence line, you must first evaluate the sort of fence, its location, its privacy function, and how much room you have to work with.
This article will provide some ideas to get you started on the right track. So let’s get this party started!
Table of Contents
The Location Of The Fence
In many gardens, the space near a fence remains unused. That wooden fence was built to demarcate the boundary between your land and the neighbors’. It adds to the safety and protects your family from curious eyes. A privacy fence constructed of aluminum or metal, such as a chain link or a charming picket fence, could be used. If it has appealing features, consider strengthening them rather than concealing them.
The fence may need to be serviced from time to time. Likewise, the fence may need to be painted from time to time. Because you will need access to the entire fence from time to time, this is something to keep in mind while selecting plants.
It can be difficult to place a plant in the garden where it will thrive. Plants may require full sun or full shade, a lot of water, or a dry environment. Will the fence protect from the prevailing wind, or will it be exposed? All of these factors should be considered while deciding what to plant.
Sites facing north receive less sunshine. They are often chilly and warm up later in the season. North-facing rooms will have fewer hot and cold extremes. South-facing windows will receive more sunlight, be warmer, and warm up sooner in the season. However, it can be very dry.
East-facing windows receive more sunshine in the morning, while west-facing windows receive more in the afternoon.
Garden Style
Keep the remainder of the garden in mind when deciding what to plant along the fence line. It may be a good idea to select screening plants that fit in with everything and complement any other garden screening ideas you may have.
The major function of the fenced garden is the next decision to be made. Some people are less interested in screening a fence and prefer to make better use of the space by planting vegetables, with shorter types in the front and beans or vine tomatoes growing on a trellis closer to the fence in the back to serve as a screen plant.
Fenceline landscaping is about doing what is best for your family, given the circumstances.
Vines, Hedge Plants, and Creepers
Consider some fence plants that will grow tall and not too wide if garden screening ideas are important to you. These provide view softening and can be virtually maintenance-free. In addition, they will grow higher than the fence if allowed, providing further privacy screening.
Buxus, Lilly Pilly, Murraya, Photinia, and Viburnum are some popular hedge plants.
They’re tough, disease-resistant, and don’t mind being shaped.
Screening can also be accomplished with vines and creepers. It’s a good idea to take a walk about your town or neighborhood and look at the growing gardens there. This will recommend plantings that will thrive in your environment.
The nursery or merchant where you buy your plants usually has strong local expertise in soil types and other concerns. Plant nothing along the fence line that could become invasive and difficult to control, such as the trumpet vine. Your neighbors will be irritated if you grow invasive plants near their gardens.
Are vines bad for fences?
The most obvious downside of growing a vine along a fence is that it may cause harm to the barrier. Wooden fences are generally more vulnerable to damage because vines can trap moisture and accelerate decomposition. Choose annual non-woody vines such as morning glory or climbing nasturtium to prevent causing harm to wood fences.
Choose a striking or vivid flower, such as the climbing rose. They have many blooms and can grow to 15 to 30 feet.
As the season progresses, the three-pronged leaves of the Boston Ivy change color. The plant likewise produces little, purple-colored fruits and is undemanding its growth circumstances.
Of course, the stunning, drought-tolerant bougainvillea is nothing short of amazing. This plant blooms in the summer and produces orange, yellow, red, and purple flowers that thrive in direct sunlight.
Plants that could damage your wooden fence
Although some species, such as Common Ivy or Wisteria, are very aesthetically beautiful, they may also be hazardous to fences. TIn addition, they can quickly become out of control due to their fast growth.
What to Plant with Privacy in Mind
Consider these considerations while looking for plants that look attractive and give cover and privacy. First, choose plants taller than the fence when completely grown. These plants should also have plenty of leaves or needles to provide cover.
However, remember that this feature plant should not be overly tall or have thick branches that could damage the fence if they fall. Emerald green arborvitae is a good choice because it grows to around 12 feet tall with dense foliage and is very easy to care for. It will also provide space at the base for little flowers and bushes, such as low-growing hellebore or lady’s mantle.
Cottage Gardens
Cottage gardens have a romantic allure and an eclectic style that has long been popular.
Hollyhocks, Delphiniums, Phlox, Daisies, and various other plants thrive in this garden. Fragrant herbs like lavender, rosemary, and thyme are also appropriate.
Local knowledge is useful for planting colorful and vibrant garden beds. Create a curved border along the fence, about two feet from the fence, or even broader if you have extra space. Plant annuals and perennials that will add color and brightness throughout the year.
After a long, cold winter, spring flowers and bulbs are a welcome sight. Numerous bushes thrive in this type of environment. Consider these garden privacy solutions along a fence.
Fenceline landscaping does not have to be difficult or time-consuming. This chore follows the same guidelines as any other in the garden. Heat can be absorbed by solid materials such as brick. However, some plants may not be suited to radiant heat.
People are often justifiably proud of their gardens. They have invested a significant amount of time and money in obtaining both fulfilling and entertaining results. This does not have to be your case. Keep your lawn and garden neat, tidy, and attractive to the eye by keeping the plans basic, and remember the reason for the fence while landscaping along a border or fence line.
Other Decoration Concepts
Instead of a basic trellis, try a beautiful screen if the fence is unsightly and you need to cover it up quickly. Again, there are numerous to pick from, some of which are visually pleasing.
Do you like garden ornaments? You can always add something like this into your fence landscaping to continue a motif from your garden. Perhaps a tiny fountain or statuary. Always use caution, and if you wish to connect something to the fence, such as a bird feeder, make sure it is strong enough to support it.
What grows well against a fence?
The best plants to grow in shady gardens include:
- Ivy
- Virginia Creeper
- Chocolate Vine
- Honeysuckle
- Climbing Hydrangea
- some Clematis varieties
- Japanese Quince
- Flame Nasturtium
- some Rose varieties
- and Mahonia Japonica
What is the fastest way to cover a fence?
Attach wires or trellis to the fence to support climbing plants and tie stems into as they grow. Choose climbers that grow quickly, such as Clematis Montana, rambling roses, and honeysuckle. Annual climbers such as morning glory and sweet peas can be grown to fill in the gaps while the perennials mature.
How long does it take Ivy to cover a fence?
It will take around 3 months for the Ivy to establish itself on your fence; once this occurs, the growth rate will drastically increase. Your ivy may grow up to 9 feet yearly, and the leaves can grow up to 3 feet, so your fence will be covered sooner than you think.
Conclusion
There are plenty of solid ideas available for you to examine. However, your imagination is the only limit to what you can do with your garden. Whether you want something classically simple, like a shaped hedge, or bright and colorful, like a cottage garden, the option is yours. Select plants for screening or have them work double duty as a food source.